Astra SP Quality?

[Dirty Harry]

I've converted to safety razor shaving as of May this year.

I've managed somehow to have 4 razors in my possession and I use them all.

Since the blades and soaps are the big consumables, they are the ones that I have been experimenting with. I've been working my way through a sample pack and so far I compare everything to the Astra SP blade. That one really stands out head and shoulders above the rest.

There are some great deals on a certain website for 100 of these blades but I noticed that depending on which box of 100 there is different (foreign language) printing on each one.
I don't know what it says or even what language it is.

Is one better than another? I see lots of talk about a given blade being made in one country has different quality than another.

I'd like to get in on the deal if I knew that these were good blades.

Can someone advise me?

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to put a link here. Next stop is reading the rules.

Dirty

 

[Multum in parvo]

All are made by PPI in St. Petersburg and packed for different markets but SP is SP. Personally I prefer the blue Astra SS over the green SP.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Try to order them from a trusted vendor instead of some random listing on Amazon or Ebay. You might pay a couple of bucks more, but you should get what you paid for.

Have you tried Astra SS (stainless)? Many people prefer them over the SP.

 

[Dirty Harry]

Two votes for Astra SS already. I'll give them a try.

I plan to stop at Maggards this weekend a put together a little sample pack.
I'd like to try Nacets/Gillette Super Blue and Bic Chrome for starters and I'll add a tuck of the Astra SS to the list.

 

[Multum in parvo]

Two votes for Astra SS already. I'll give them a try.

I plan to stop at Maggards this weekend a put together a little sample pack.
I'd like to try Nacets/Gillette Super Blue and Bic Chrome for starters and I'll add a tuck of the Astra SS to the list.

Good choices. Gillette Super Blues are from China and are rare/expensive, Gillette SILVER Blues are Russian and well liked with good availability. Bics are sharp on shave one and even sharper on shave two so start with a tame razor.

 

[Eric_75]

Personally I prefer the blue Astra SS over the green SP.

When I reach for an Astra, I find myself grabbing for the Superior Stainless over the Superior Platinum these days.

 

[BigJ]

Astra SP have great QC IME!! Wonderful blades for me!!

You chose a very fine ‘baseline’ blade!!

 

[VerbaVolant]

...I noticed that depending on which box of 100 there is different (foreign language) printing on each one.
I don't know what it says or even what language it is...
Dirty

Would you be so kind and post some pictures here?

 

[VerbaVolant]

I could only find two of them. I have both and I am currently shaving with żiletky.

While I admit, I have never made a side-by-side comparison, I have not noticed anything wrong.
That being said, and while I have both, this is a good time for a test.

 

[VerbaVolant]

Well... in my opinion, they are different blades. Jilet is sharper and smoother than Žiletka. Quite something.

 

[VerbaVolant]

Customary pictures:

 

[Dirty Harry]

Yes, those are the ones I'm talking about. Thanks folks. That is why I'm a little confused. I'm not sure if the same issue is on the Astra SS blades.

Dirty

 

[VerbaVolant]

It is possible that due to recent events, there could be a reason for the (perceived) drop in quality. I could be wrong.

 

[ColtRevolver]

I have been using Astra SP blades for the past couple of years. I buy them because they are cheap and work well enough for me.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Yes, those are the ones I'm talking about. Thanks folks. That is why I'm a little confused. I'm not sure if the same issue is on the Astra SS blades.

Dirty

Those appear to be Astra blades made in Russia, but packaged for sale in other countries such as Turkey and Hungary.

 

[bigbrucefan]

I have both the Astra SP and SS and use both regularly. I like both just fine, and have bought 100 packs of each in the past. The SS is up there with Gillette 7 o'clock yellows for my favorite shaves and bang-for-buck.

 

[VerbaVolant]

...Is one better than another?...
Dirty

In my opinion, yes. Jilet is sharper and smoother than Žiletka.

 

[NorthernSoul]

In my opinion, yes. Jilet is sharper and smoother than Žiletka.

I think it's just a packaging difference. Jilet is Turkish for razor blade; Žiletka is Czech for razor blade (Notice their similarity to the name Gillette).

The boxes just have "double edge razor blades" written in different languages.

 

[CJB3]

Astra SPs are a fine blade—not in my current top 5 but close.

 

[VerbaVolant]

Yes, those are the ones I'm talking about....

So, which one do you currently have and use?